TRYOUTS

Thursday the 7th of September

Percy pulls into the driveway and I smile as I jump into the front seat. He offered to drive me home yesterday, but it didn't feel right until I was stuck on a bus which made too many stops.

"Thank you so much!"

"You're welcome."

"Let me know if there's anything I can do to return the favour."

"You can pick a song." He tosses his phone onto my lap and grins. I consider a few songs before picking Rapunzel by Drapht.

He cocks his head to the side as I turn the volume up. Percy taps his fingers to the beat, then nods his head.

"It's interesting."

"You mean amazing," I correct.

"Gee, I'm sorry." Percy laughs.

I play some of their other music before we arrive at school. He swerves into a parking spot and we saunter inside.

Percy hangs with a group of guys while I veer in the opposite direction in search of my locker. I'm getting the hang of this, but it's only taken me two days and three lost maps.

I shove a majority of my books into the small cubical before rushing to homeroom. My bag is light which is nice, I hated having to cart my books to classes in Australia.

The bell rings as I wander into the classroom. I find a seat at the back and half listen to the string of announcements. I mostly scribble on the inside of my English notebook.

Once homeroom is over, people scatter but I remain for English.

Percy enters the classroom and takes a seat on the other side of the room.

"Charlie, over here." Percy waves to a free spot beside him.

I consider ignoring him because I like my spot at the back of the classroom, but I grab my things and move to the other desk.

The teacher coughs and some people look at him. He writes our tasks on the chalkboard, then sits behind the desk. I've already read the book, so I fill the questions and let Percy copy them.

Percy grows restless and tosses a pen at the brunette in front of us. She turns around and scowls at Percy.

"I'm keeping your pen." She glares.

"Have you met Charlie?"

"No, but hi." She doesn't look amused, but follows along.

"She's new, so you should invite her to try out for the cheerleading team. You need new faces on that team and last year's intake sucked."

The girl looks at me and asks, "Do you have any experience?"

"I'm sorry about him, but I'm not interested."

"If you change your mind, we're having tryouts after school. We actually need more people who are athletic."

"Okay, thanks."

She eyes my paper and smiles.

"Have you finished?"

"Yes, do you want the answers?" I slide the paper towards her.

"Thanks." She grins.

* * * * *

Dance is less terrible because we're learning a new routine, math sucks and then lunch rolls by. I skip the cafeteria and head outside to sit with everyone. There's a few familiar faces, but everyone is a blur.

Percy and a girl called Samantha sit at the table with me, while Jewels is on the ground shooting daggers at Percy.

"We're in time out and she's unhappy."

"Just break up already. I swear you fight more than you date," Samantha comments.

"Tell her to stop acting crazy, then maybe we wouldn't need to do this."

Samantha shakes her head and laughs.

"Honest to God, I love her, but we both know crazy is just in her DNA." She laughs.

"You're right." Percy sighs.

Samantha turns to me and smiles. I squirm under her gaze, but I manage to tug on a smile.

"What sport do you play, Charlie?"

"I used to surf with my mother, but not anymore."

"Damn, you certainly can't surf around here."

"No." I shake my head.

"You have muscle definition we're looking for and if you can follow directions, we'd be thrilled to see you try out for the team. You should disregard Percy's comments, he tries too hard to make people fit."

"I'm sure Percy means well, besides." I shrug. "I'd be sitting by myself without him."

"You seem cool, Charlie."

After lunch we walk to woodwork. Everyone has started their project while I've been going through tedious paperwork about procedures and safety scenarios inside of Noah's office.

The videos and scenarios are gory, not in the images, but what they imply. I hope I don't cut my fingers off because that would be terrifying.

Noah walks inside and pulls a chair up. He places a new assignment in front of me and smiles.

"I've tweaked it to make the theory weigh more, I've simplified what you need to demonstrate for the design and overall production. I'll walk you through making the cupboard. Does that sound okay?"

"It's great, thank you." I grin.

"When you've finished the videos, I want you to look at designs. Draw whatever you like. Can you manage that?"

"Yes." I nod.

"Just use the computer. It's dusty and the t button doesn't work."

"Okay, no worries."

"Great." He claps his hands. "Yell out if you need help."

"Thanks for the help."

Noah returns to help someone, then hurdles insults at Percy because he's throwing wood scraps at someone who's trying to use the bandsaw.

I skip through the videos and search basic cabinet designs and start on my own.

Noah has no idea what he'd gotten himself into. I shouldn't be allowed near power tools capable of cutting off my limbs and I can't draw to save myself.

* * * * *

Arms wrap around my waist as I skip out of the office.

"What are you doing?" I shout.

"Just making sure you get to cheerleading tryouts." He laughs.

"I specifically remember making a date with Netflix."

I bet he's rolling his eyes and smiling that stupid goofy grin.

He adjusts his grip and wanders onto the school oval. Instead of fighting, I rest my chin on Percy's shoulder.

Noah's herds students out of the room before jogging towards us.

"What are you doing Percy, put her down!"

"You heard the teacher." I poke his shoulder.

Percy ignores us, so I wiggle around until I accidently kick his leg. He drops me and I crash into the hard ground. I spring up and bolt towards the school. I peer over my shoulder and scream.

He wrangles me into the air and over his shoulder. Noah laughs as he falls in step with Percy.

"What are you doing, Percy?"

"Making Charlie try out for cheer."

"You can't force someone to do that."

"How's Charlie going to get the full American experience without joining cheerleading?"

Noah shakes his head and walks off.

"Good luck," he yells.

Percy drops me at the cheer tryout with a bright smile.

"Charlie's bursting with cheer spiriting." I shoot him a glare, so he elbows me in the side.

"So much school spirit." I roll my eyes.

"Join the tryout, you might enjoy it. If you don't, then no hard feelings." Samantha smiles.

"I'm wearing jeans."

"Easy fix, I have some shorts you can borrow."

"Oh thanks."

Samantha tosses me a pair of black booty shorts and directs me to the change room which is across the oval.

I race across the oval and wave the shorts to Percy, who gives me a thumbs up. As I race around the corner, I walk into a hard chest and fall onto the ground. Noah looks down and frowns.

"Shit, sorry Charlie." He takes my hand and pulls me to my feet.

"Oh gosh, I'm so sorry! I thought this was the female toilet."

"It's on the other side, actually." He chuckles.

"Okay."

"So you're actually trying out for cheerleading?"

"Samantha was really nice, so why not." I nod. "I doubt I'll be accepted because I've never done anything like this before."

"I'm sure you'll do great."

"Cheers." I smile.

I change into the shorts which are tight and cling to my thighs. I can't go back in jeans, so I force myself across the grass.

There's some catcalls which makes my cheeks go red.

Samantha gives simple moves, then cranks the music.

I don't keep up with the dance, but I slay on the physical side. A few girls leave part way through, but I trooper on. What's a few more bruises after falling down twice today?

The head cheerleaders discuss tryouts, then announce their choice. Samantha hands me a blue cheer outfit and matching yellow pom poms.

"You don't have to accept me because of Percy. My audition was shocking, borderline terrifying."

"Percy has nothing to do with our decision. You have potential and muscle. Plus we like you."

"Oh, okay." I smile. "I think this could be fun."

Jewels glares at me and I look at Samantha.

"She's just jealous, don't mind her."

"I'll endeavour to try." I laugh.

The cheerleaders pack up their equipment while I watch Percy race across the field with a smile. I wave the pom poms in the air which makes him smile widen.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"I'm hitting the showers, but do you want a lift home?"

"Sure, thank you! I'll grab my stuff."

"Let's meet at the car?"

"Yes."

As Percy runs away, Jewels growls at me.

"Percy is mine!"

"Don't be childish. Percy isn't a toy and he's just driving me home. If he wants to be with you, I'm all for it." Her mouth drops open, so I use this as my moment to escape.

Once I've got my things, I head to the parking lot. Noah walks around the corner with a smile.

"Did you make it onto the team?"

"Yes." I nod.

"Congratulations! You're one step closer to completing the American experience."

"What are the other steps?"

"Hm." He ponders. "Parties, Halloween, homecoming, prom and Percy said dating him, but I think that's crap."

"He said that?" I laugh.

"Yes, but he'd kill me if I said anything."

"I pinky promise not to say anything then. I also don't fancy entering a rival with Jewels."

"Pinky promise, hey, that's a strong commitment."

"It is."

His pinky intertwining with mine and we shake on it. I get lost in his olive eyes, which causes my breath to get caught in my throat.

"I should go." He coughs.

Noah leaves and I lust after him in a dreamy state.

I walk to the car and Percy is crossing the field. I wave to him and we get into the car. I lean back in the chair and sigh.

"What are you thinking about?"

"My bed." I lie. "I'm exhausted."

I peek at Percy who seems slightly offended.

When he drops me off, I thank him for the lift. It's only inside, I remember Samantha's shorts.

"What are you wearing?"

"I borrowed them for cheer tryouts."

"Cheer tryouts?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Yes, I'm a cheerleader. Yay, go the Tigers."

"That's a new development."

"I thought I'd give it a try, maybe make some friends."

"I'll come to every game and watch you cheer."

We both know he'll be there for football, but I don't mind, he needs some happiness.